Bonded to My Ex's Alpha Brother Chapter 190

Erin's POV

From across the club, I watched as Derek leaned in to say something to Ryan. Despite the pulsing music, Derek's expression remained serious, his posture rigid as he spoke. Ryan nodded attentively, clearly intimidated by the Pack Alpha's presence. Even in this casual setting, Derek exuded authority—shoulders squared, jaw set, eyes coolly surveying the room.

"He looks like a cold, heartless Pack Alpha now, doesn't he?" I muttered, more to myself than to Cassandra beside me.

Cassandra let out a light laugh. "You think Derek is cold right now?"

I turned to her with disbelief. "Isn't he? Look at him. Standing there all business-like, as if he didn't break into my room last night to..." I stopped myself, not wanting to reveal too much.

"How can you say he's not cold right now?" I challenged.

Cassandra patted my arm reassuringly. "Calm down, girl. You're getting worked up over nothing. Wait and see. You'll witness his other side soon enough."

I sank back into the plush couch, drumming my fingers against my thigh as the club's bass pulsed through the floor. What did she mean by that? What other side? I'd seen enough sides of Derek Stone to last a lifetime.

"You know," Cassandra began, her voice taking on a storytelling quality, "Derek wasn't always like this. The stone-cold Alpha you see now? That's not who he used to be."

I raised an eyebrow, skeptical but curious. "Oh?"

"He was a rebellious rule-breaker in his youth." Her purple-tinged eyes glimmered with memory. "Always challenging authority, pushing boundaries. Girls fell over themselves for him, but he wasn't a playboy. He was something far more dangerous."

I couldn't help but scoff. The image she painted seemed completely at odds with the controlled, calculating man I knew. If anything, her description sounded more like...

"You sure you're talking about Derek? Because that sounds more like Alexander to me," I said. "I've never seen Derek like that."

Cassandra's lips curved into a knowing smile. "Pray you never do. The old Derek was the devil himself. This Derek?" She nodded toward him. "He's just a powerful, cold Pack Alpha."

A chill ran down my spine at her words, though I tried to mask it with sarcasm. "He's already the devil as far as I'm concerned. I've seen his true colors."

Cassandra's smile widened, seeming almost smug. "Have you? Have you really?"

Before I could respond, a shadow fell across us. I looked up to find Derek standing there, his eyes fixed on Cassandra with an unreadable expression.

"What are you telling her?" he asked coldly.

Cassandra's smile didn't falter. "Don't worry, I'm not revealing any of your dirty secrets." She winked at him. "After all, she's going to be your rival's mate."

I couldn't help but admire her boldness. Most people cowered in Derek's presence, but Cassandra spoke to him as an equal. This witch was powerful, that much was clear.

Derek's eyes darkened dangerously. Ryan, sensing the shift in mood, quickly stood up and extended his hand to Cassandra.

"Let's dance," he suggested, pulling her to her feet. As they moved away, he leaned down to whisper in my ear, "Be careful. Don't offend the Pack Alpha."

I nodded absently. What did I care about offending Derek? In a few weeks, I'd be leaving his pack behind for good.

---

The moment Ryan and Cassandra disappeared into the crowd, Derek took the empty spot beside me. He crossed one leg over the other, his left arm draped casually over the back of the couch behind me. Too close for comfort.

"Was she spouting nonsense?" he asked, his eyes following the pair onto the dance floor.

I glared at him. "Just girl talk."

"Oh, really?" His tone was mocking.

I shifted away slightly. "Why are you here?"

He turned to me, his voice softening. "For you." When I rolled my eyes, he added, "I wasn't planning to come here. But when I heard you would be here, I thought, why not come and annoy you?"

Something about his tone made me look at him more closely. His eyes weren't as cold as they had been earlier. They held a different light—almost playful.

"You're such a hypocrite!" I accused.

Derek leaned closer, his eyes locked on mine. "Perhaps, but this low voice and soft tone aren't fake. I only speak this way to you."

My heart skipped a beat, and I hated myself for it.

Just then, my phone vibrated in my purse. I pulled it out to see Alexander's name on the screen. Derek's eyes fixed on it, his expression hardening instantly.

As I answered, Derek grabbed my waist and pulled me closer to him. "What are you doing?" I hissed, trying to push him away.

"Erin? What's wrong?" Alexander's voice came through the phone.

I forced myself to sound calm. "There's someone harassing me. I think I might need to teach him a lesson."

"Do you need help?" Alexander asked, concern evident in his voice.

"No, I can handle it myself," I assured him, shooting a glare at Derek, who merely rolled his eyes and pulled me even closer, practically into his lap.

"Where are you?" Alexander asked.

Derek shook his head firmly, warning me not to tell. I hesitated, aware that revealing my location in a club might not be appropriate given the circumstances.

"I'm meeting a friend's girlfriend," I said instead, which wasn't entirely a lie.

"I see," Alexander replied. "I wanted to let you know that I'm leaving Darkwood Pack territory today."

My body stiffened. "Why?"

"One of my enforcers is seriously ill. I need to go back and handle some matters, but I'll return a few days before our binding ceremony to prepare."

I sat there, stunned. Everything was moving so fast. "Okay," was all I managed to say before hanging up.

Derek's voice broke through my thoughts. "Why so sad? He's only going away for a few days, not dying."

Anger surged through me. I shoved against his chest, breaking free from his grip. "Why do you care, Alpha Derek?"

His eyes flashed with anger. "Of course I care, because I want to kill him." He leaned forward. "Do you really like that man so much?"

"Yes, I do," I shot back. "So much that I can't bear to be away from him for even a few days."

Derek's expression darkened. "I can keep you company instead."

"I hate you," I spat. "I'd rather be with anyone else in this club than with you."

Something flickered in his eyes as he released his hold on my waist.

---

Determined to prove my point, I caught the arm of a young man walking past. "Hey," I called out, flashing my most charming smile. "Would you keep me company for a while?" I glanced back at Derek, challenge in my eyes.

The man's eyes lit up. "Would you like to dance with me, beautiful?"

Before he could say another word, Derek was on his feet, shoving the man aside. "Get lost. Find someone else." He grabbed my hand and pulled me toward the dance floor.

"What are you doing?" I demanded, struggling against his grip.

"You wanted to dance, didn't you? Dance to your heart's content." He pulled me against him, one hand firmly on my waist.

I clenched my jaw, keeping my voice low. "This was your plan all along, wasn't it? Sending Alexander back to his pack. I swear, you have no idea how much I hate you."

Derek's grip tightened. "What are you going to do about it? Kick me out of this club like you kicked me out of your room?" He spun me around so my back was against his chest, his arms wrapped tightly around my waist.

I could feel his breath on my neck as he spoke. "I know you don't hate me. That's why I'm here in front of you now. I will never let you push me out of your life, little Omega."

His hands slid along my bare arms, sending unwanted shivers through my body. His lips brushed against my cheek, and for a moment, I felt dizzy, like I'd had too much to drink.

I turned to face him, my voice cold. "What are you doing?"

Derek pretended not to hear. "I'm not doing anything," he murmured, his voice low. "Just an accidental light touch. Why such a strong reaction, little wolf? Or are you feeling something too?"

My body trembled, and I struggled to maintain my composure as we continued to dance. How had I ended up here? There was a time when I had respected Derek, even admired him. Now everything was different.

"What do you want from me, Alpha Derek?" I finally asked. "Why do you care if I marry someone else? Is it just because you hate Alpha Alexander?"

Derek's eyes bore into mine. "I want you to be mine. It's that simple."

My gaze turned icy. "I told you before your engagement that was your last chance. But you dismissed me."

His hands loosened slightly, and I seized the opportunity to push his arms away. "I don't want to dance anymore. I'm leaving."